Bum Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Gogebic County end of Michigan holds Bum Lake. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. About 4 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Our Gogebic County list holds plenty of bigger water. For a base, Iron River sits 27 miles out. The big place round here is Green Bay, 135 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Bum Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Gogebic County include bluegill, yellow perch and walleye. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Bum Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 65°F, while January sits near 10°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It holds true on Bum Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Hobo Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Ask locally about Bum Lake if anything is unclear.